Fan assembly for a packaged terminal air conditioner unit

Abstract

A packaged terminal air conditioner unit (PTAC) includes a vent aperture defined in a bulkhead of the PTAC and a fan assembly for urging a flow of make-up air through the vent aperture. The fan assembly includes a fan duct fluidly coupled to the bulkhead over the vent aperture, the fan duct defining an inlet that extends away from the bulkhead toward a rear of the PTAC. An auxiliary fan is mounted to the fan duct for urging the flow of make-up air through the vent aperture, the auxiliary fan including a plurality of fan blades and a stabilizer ring extending about the circumferential direction between the plurality of fan blades.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to air conditioner units, and more particularly to fan assemblies for providing make-up air to packaged terminal air conditioner units.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Air conditioner or conditioning units are conventionally utilized to adjust the temperature indoors—i.e. within structures such as dwellings and office buildings. Such units commonly include a closed refrigeration loop to heat or cool the indoor air. Typically, the indoor air is recirculated while being heated or cooled. A variety of sizes and configurations are available for such air conditioner units. For example, some units may have one portion installed within the indoors that is connected, by e.g., tubing carrying the refrigerant, to another portion located outdoors. These types of units are typically used for conditioning the air in larger spaces.[0003]Another type of unit, sometimes referred to as a packaged terminal air conditioner unit (PTAC...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a packaged terminal air conditioner unit (PTAC) with a vent aperture in the bulkhead and a fan assembly for urging a flow of make-up air through the vent aperture. The fan assembly includes a fan duct and an auxiliary fan with blades and a stabilizer ring extending about the fan's circumferential direction. The fan blades are mounted to the fan duct and extend from the root to the tip. The invention allows for improved air conditioning in the PTAC by facilitating the flow of make-up air.

Problems solved by technology

However, positioning the auxiliary fan within the vent aperture or proximate to bulkhead results in the auxiliary fan competing with the outdoor fan.

However, due to manufacturing limitations, such fan ducts are often limited to straight ducts extending between two points, and such ducts have a tendency to permit the propagation of noise from outdoor to indoor.

Moreover, conventional auxiliary fans are loud and generate blade “growl” or fluttering, particularly during transient operation when the fan is throttling up or down.

Increased noise can be a nuisance to occupants of the conditioned room or otherwise result in a less desirable consumer experience.

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